Fixes being considered for ‘constant problem’

By Linda N. Weller - lweller@s24532.p831.sites.pressdns.com

An Alton Police officer, right, talks to a man who police cited Tuesday for allegedly dumping some of his truckload of brush, left, on city property at the corner of East 13th and Easton streets in Alton. Police and Alton Public Works are increasing patrols of areas where people have been conducting illegal dumping and cracking down on the incidents, which carry a $1,000 fine if convicted. The man allegedly operates a licensed and insured tree service, according to signs on his truck, but Deputy Chief of Police Terry Buhs said the service does not have a city business license. Ironically, the man told police he lived just 100 feet away and had his own “No Dumping-Private Property” sign posted in his front yard.

John Badman | The Telegraph

With the city’s posted “No Dumping” sign in the background, Alton Deputy Police Chief Terry Buhs, center, talks with Alton Public Works Director Bob Barnhart at the scene of the alleged dumping Tuesday.

John Badman | The Telegraph

ALTON — A public works employee called police Tuesday to stop a man from allegedly dumping tree branches and other debris on a city lot, a problem authorities say is increasing.

“A city employee going by saw the truck backing in the lot, preparing to dump the materials,” said Deputy Chief Terry Buhs of the Alton Police Department.

Alton police arrived at the lot at East 13th and Easton streets, then cited the man with illegal dumping. Bob Barnhart, Alton public works director, also came to the site. Someone photographed the truck on the lot, its bed containing branches and other plant material, as evidence in the case.

Buhs identified the man police cited as James Hodge, 43. Buhs said Hodge lives on East Bluffline Road in Godfrey. A Telegraph staff member at the scene said Hodge claimed he lives on 13th Street, near the dumping site.

“For years, the city has had a problem with 13th Street at Easton with people dumping tree branches and other debris,” Buhs said of the empty lot and city right-of-way. “The city has put Jersey barriers up and signs to deter and stop dumping.”

The “No Dumping” sign also warns offenders they could be subjected to a fine of $1,000.

Hodge told police he owns Riverbend Tree Services, which Buhs said does not have a city business license. Police are investigating whether they will cite Hodge for operating a business without a license, the deputy chief said.

Buhs said police and other city employees are more closely monitoring such isolated areas for illegal dumping, particularly remote wooded areas, including 13th Street and the Gesche Street-Madison Avenue areas.

“It’s a constant problem with dumping,” Buhs said. “When we can catch them, we issue citations. We are looking at other alternatives, such as cameras. It is a problem for the city, and the city doesn’t need more problems.”

He said he believes there are multiple people dumping yard waste and other materials, with some trying to burn the materials.

“Somebody is creating a huge problem then for the fire department,” he said when the people set the debris on fire.

An Alton Police officer, right, talks to a man who police cited Tuesday for allegedly dumping some of his truckload of brush, left, on city property at the corner of East 13th and Easton streets in Alton. Police and Alton Public Works are increasing patrols of areas where people have been conducting illegal dumping and cracking down on the incidents, which carry a $1,000 fine if convicted. The man allegedly operates a licensed and insured tree service, according to signs on his truck, but Deputy Chief of Police Terry Buhs said the service does not have a city business license. Ironically, the man told police he lived just 100 feet away and had his own “No Dumping-Private Property” sign posted in his front yard.

http://www.thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_IllegalDumping1LEAD.jpgAn Alton Police officer, right, talks to a man who police cited Tuesday for allegedly dumping some of his truckload of brush, left, on city property at the corner of East 13th and Easton streets in Alton. Police and Alton Public Works are increasing patrols of areas where people have been conducting illegal dumping and cracking down on the incidents, which carry a $1,000 fine if convicted. The man allegedly operates a licensed and insured tree service, according to signs on his truck, but Deputy Chief of Police Terry Buhs said the service does not have a city business license. Ironically, the man told police he lived just 100 feet away and had his own “No Dumping-Private Property” sign posted in his front yard. John Badman | The Telegraph

With the city’s posted “No Dumping” sign in the background, Alton Deputy Police Chief Terry Buhs, center, talks with Alton Public Works Director Bob Barnhart at the scene of the alleged dumping Tuesday.

http://www.thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_IllegalDumping2SECONDARY.jpgWith the city’s posted “No Dumping” sign in the background, Alton Deputy Police Chief Terry Buhs, center, talks with Alton Public Works Director Bob Barnhart at the scene of the alleged dumping Tuesday. John Badman | The Telegraph